Modern Supernatural Idea (Shelved)

Modern Supernatural Idea (Shelved)

Due to practicality of filming and timing, it was deemed that a parallel script and filming schedule was generally impractical. We also believe that due to our research that we have conducted, we have not encompassed a supernatural element. To this end, we have not seen the potential audience reaction so making a film of that nature will be both painstaking and a risk due to the unknown element. 

In conclusion, the supernatural alternate script has been shelved. We are instead continuing with the crime thriller film that we intended to produce.

Potential Cast:

Warlock - Keenan (Me)

A young male warlock studying spells & incantations from books & scrolls. Costume to consist of modernised robes, jewellery, pentacle necklace. Props include, spell books, scrolls, wand. Setting to be in a library. Camera angles to include a lot of fast paced match on action shots. Key lighting to be source of light to create a mysterious atmosphere.

Werewolf - Harry

Werewolf running through the woods chasing his prey (rabbit). Costume to be prosthetics hair or werewolf fancy dress costume. Setting to be woods during the daytime. Camera angles to be in first person view whilst chasing the rabbit, wide shot to reveal werewolf's appearance. Natural lighting to set the tone for a "natural" feel to the shots.

Vampire - Kieran

Vampire turns into a bat and enters a bedroom with someone sleeping, bites neck and turns them into vampire too. Costume to be white shirt, black cape, black trousers and shoes. Setting to be in a bedroom. Camera angles to make use of 180 degree rule when dialogue appears, over shoulder shot.  Key lighting from lamp shades to create tension.

Mood Board

Mood Boards

Mood boards are a useful way of recording different conventions associated with different genres. 

Fantasy Mood Board

For the fantasy genre, general conventions consist of a magical element like spells, wands, staffs, crystal balls, mystical creatures etc. In cases like the Arya Stark, Gandalf & Hermione promo posters; dark colours and shadows are implemented to create a mysterious and mystical feel to it. The aesthetics of the typography used usually has a regal flair that helps abide by the stereotypical fantasy conventions. Some form of magic is often depicted as an archetype for the fantasy genre (which can be seen in the fantasy mood board with characters like Gandalf or Hermione).

Crime Mood Board

For the crime genre, general conventions consist of cops, detectives, mystery, murder, guns. In cases like the Catwoman Gotham poster, the use of dark & gritty colours like black & grey depict the general convention of mystery within the crime genre. The aesthetics of the typography used usually coloured white in a simple text style. This usually indicates that benevolence of the main protagonist solving crime. Therefore, conforming to the stereotypical crime conventions. In cases like the Dexter poster, the typography is blood red with blood splattered angel wings as part of the mise en scene, creating the imagery of dexter being the angel of death. This subverts the crime genre and incorporates the sub genre of thriller. Instead of the audience following a protagonist who solves crime, Dexter follows an anti hero who has questionable morals by murdering serial killers.

Script (Draft)

‘Script (Draft)’

By CakeBox Productions

A bleak city landscape. The camera is following a man walking through the grey streets. He is wearing warm clothing indicating winter. Camera pulls focus in and out changing focus from him and the scenery around.

John(aside)-: I always wanted to be a police detective. I don’t know why.

Cut to next shot. Close-up match on action of Jon brushing past a building.

John(aside)-: Maybe it was the TV shows. The good cop always catching the bad guy and he somehow manages to rescue everyone at the end. Cool story.

                Cut to extreme close up of the Bomb Maker tinkering.

Cut back to John. Low angle shot like the camera is behind a car following the approach of John.

John(aside)-: No. It was a nice thought, though. Maybe one day I’ll get given a case where the killer is some idiot with a clear motive, prints at the scene, the works.

                Cut to extreme close up of the Bomb Maker’s mouth area. He slowly smiles.

                Cut to shot of traffic with muffled car noises allowing the monologue to be heard.

John(aside)-: That would be nice before I retire. That old cliché.

Shot of the back of John. He is looking down at traffic on an overpass. The sound of wind and traffic is muffled.

John(aside)-: Long time until that, unfortunately.

                Cut to two-shot. Another person approaches. It is John’s partner, Pedro La Guerta.

Pedro-: John?

John-: Pedro. What d’you need?

Pedro-: You at the station. Someone’s there claiming that they’ve set up a bomb in the city. They’re asking to speak to you personally.

                Close up of John as he replies.

John-: And here I thought that I could have the morning off.

Cut to main titles.

Script Changes

Script changes

When filming, we came to the conclusion it was easier to use the script as guidelines than strict rules. 

We came up with all the dialogue when on set which made the filming much quicker as we weren't restricted by what we had to follow. The one fixed thing, however, was the monologue which is going to be played over the travelling scenes. We compromised the script so the filming could expand and evolve without being restricted. It cut time and also gave us more freedom for what we wanted to do.

As of now, the script is only exists due to the script and the rest is pretty much obsolete now. 

‘Untitled’

By Mallard Media

A bleak city landscape. The camera is following a man walking through the grey streets. He is wearing warm clothing indicating winter. Camera pulls focus in and out changing focus from him and the scenery around.

John(aside)-: I always wanted to be a police detective. I don’t know why.

Cut to next shot. Close-up match on action of Jon brushing past a building.

John(aside)-: Maybe it was the TV shows. The good cop always catching the bad guy and he somehow manages to rescue everyone at the end. Cool story.

                Cut to extreme close up of the Bomb Maker tinkering.

Cut back to John. Low angle shot like the camera is behind a car following the approach of John.

John(aside)-: No. It was a nice thought, though. Maybe one day I’ll get given a case where the killer is some idiot with a clear motive, prints at the scene, the works.

                Cut to extreme close up of the Bomb Maker’s mouth area. He slowly smiles.

                Cut to shot of traffic with muffled car noises allowing the monologue to be heard.

John(aside)-: That would be nice before I retire. That old cliché.

Shot of the back of John. He is looking down at traffic on an overpass. The sound of wind and traffic is muffled.

John(aside)-: Long time until that, unfortunately.

                Cut to two-shot. Another person approaches. It is John’s partner, Pedro La Guerta.

Pedro-: John?

John-: Pedro. What d’you need?

Pedro-: You at the station. Someone’s there claiming that they’ve set up a bomb in the city. They’re asking to speak to you personally.

                Close up of John as he replies.

John-: And here I thought that I could have the morning off.

Cut to main titles.

The red highlighted portions show the obsolete sections as the dialogue was revised.

The green highlighted portion shows the cut cues rather than strict instructions so these are open to change. 

Costumes & Props

Costumes & Props

Costume

Costume: Costumes are the distinctive style of dress/outfits which usually adjure to a certain genre or . A costume can be a particular style of clothing worn to portray the wearer as a character or type of character other than their regular persona at a social event such as a masquerade, a fancy dress party or in a theatre performance.

Props

Props: A property, commonly shortened to prop (plural: props), is an object used on stage or on screen by actors/actresses during a performance or screen production In practical terms, a prop is considered to be anything movable or portable on a stage or a set, distinct from the actors, scenery, costumes and electrical equipment. Consumable food items appearing in the production are also considered properties.

Costume ideas for our opening scene:

Costume for the Alchemist (Keenan - Myself)

• Black Cloak
• Black Trousers
• Black Shoes
• White T-shirt

Props for the Alchemist 

• Vials
• Jars
• Cat
• Herbs
• Pestle Mortar
• Rocks
• Jewels 
• Skull
• Bunsen Burners/Fire
• Water
• Books

Costume for the John (Harry) & Pedro (Kieran)

• Dark coloured jacket
• Jeans
• White v-neck 
• Black boots

Group Opening Film Idea

Group Opening Film Ideas

Group Members

Keenan Myers (Me)

Harry Garwood

Kieran Cudbertson

#1 Alchemy (My Idea)

Inspired by American Horror Story: Coven, Harry Potter & The Originals. A gritty fantasy/supernatual/horror genre opening. Our first group idea is to have a large table with a variety of Alchemy equipment laid out on the table. The theme of the film/opening is to have a magical/supernatural flare to it. As a result, the non-digetic sound will be somewhat "mystical" but at the same time have an air of tension within the music. We will not use many special effects - This is is because the idea of the film is to make the magic element seem more realistic & dark as if magic existed in real life. So, in order to capture the "realistic" essence of the "magic" in the opening; a variety of symbolic codes that are commonly associated with magic will be present in the shots (Particularly objects that are known to be used in Alchemy). A variety of pan zoom/match on action shots will take place on specific equipment on the table like potion vials, herbs, jars, pestle mortars, etc. The opening will use fill light to accentuate the objects of the table & to make the opening appear darker than other use of lighting to help tie in with the horror aspect. As the match on action shots take place, the opening credits will display in the bottom of the shot & will change according to the change of shot & item. The final shot will depict a long-shot camera angle with the protagonist (Me) dressed in a warlock-like attire. The film Title will then display.

#2 Detective (Harry's Idea)

Inspired by Gotham & Luthor. A detective opening genre. Following a protagonist (Harry) who is investigating a crime taken place in the local area. The protagonist will become the focal point of the scene with a non-diegetic monologue; giving the audience some form of context to the overall plot line of the film.

#3 Horror House (Kieran's Idea)

Inspired by The Office & Insideous. A horror/documentary opening genre. Three protagonists (Me, Harry & Kieran) are being "interviewed" about our experiences in a haunted house. 

Storyboard for final film Idea:

CakeBox Production Logo (Draft)

Production Logo

A production logo is an image or small piece of writing that is  unique to a production company. A production logo is usually created to help brand a production company for easy recognition amongst competitors. It is usually inspired by a certain theme that is associated with the production name. For example, Disney has a huge influence of magical theme, thus the logo has a magical feel to it.

Our Logo: CakeBox Prouctions (Draft)

This is our logo for our productions: "CakeBox Productions." The theme of our logo is inspired by a battenberg cake hence the colour scheme of yellow & pink boxes.The texture of the logo resembles that of a sponge cake due to the name of the production company. Instead of using a rounded squared, we opted for a ridged square shape to make it seem more like a box. As a result, playing on the name of our production company: "CakeBox." The colour scheme of our logo not only reflex the aesthetics of a battenberg cake, but it also gives off subliminal, psychological effects on the viewer. Research into the colour "yellow" shows that it is a colour that has a cheerful, warming effect on the brain. Study into the colour "pink" presents that it has a calming effect on a person's psyche. The combination of these colours used for our logo makes it seem inviting to the audience.